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RE: What is Atheism?
March 8, 2017 at 9:42 pm
(March 8, 2017 at 8:21 pm)Simon Moon Wrote: (March 8, 2017 at 6:34 pm)Jesster Wrote: Yes, people can and do use many varieties of meanings for words. That's why I am laying down my definitions. It's not my problem if you reject every one of them. That just means that you don't want to have a real conversation about what atheists do or do not believe.
Most atheists consider not believing in gods all that is necessary to be defined as an atheist. If you believe that is somehow insufficient to define one as an atheist, that is up to you to discuss it with that particular atheist why your definition is better.
What is important though, is not definitions, but concepts.
I do not currently believe that any of the gods ever presented to me, exist. If you don't want to call me an atheist, that is fine. I don't really care. But that does not alter the concept that I don't currently believe any gods exist.
Thanks. This is exactly what I was trying to say in the beginning until certain theists tried to muddy the waters. This isn't complicated.
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 9, 2017 at 9:51 am
When I am asked what atheism is... I use a dictionary. When that does not suffice, I think back to when I was young. I never quite held a strong conviction that, "There are no gods." At least not then. Back then I was simply skeptical of all the things I was being told and realized I did not believe what was being said to me. I lacked belief in what I was being taught. I was an atheist.
Atheism, in and of itself, is a lack of belief. Not a belief and certainly not a system of beliefs. Not sure why this is even a discussion.
“Love is the only bow on Life’s dark cloud. It is the morning and the evening star. It shines upon the babe, and sheds its radiance on the quiet tomb. It is the mother of art, inspirer of poet, patriot and philosopher.
It is the air and light of every heart – builder of every home, kindler of every fire on every hearth. It was the first to dream of immortality. It fills the world with melody – for music is the voice of love.
Love is the magician, the enchanter, that changes worthless things to Joy, and makes royal kings and queens of common clay. It is the perfume of that wondrous flower, the heart, and without that sacred passion, that divine swoon, we are less than beasts; but with it, earth is heaven, and we are gods.” - Robert. G. Ingersoll
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 9, 2017 at 6:50 pm
(March 8, 2017 at 6:20 pm)Neo-Scholastic Wrote: (March 8, 2017 at 5:39 pm)Jesster Wrote: A deist is a theist, though. They fit the definition of theism.
Not really, for the same reason that pantheism isn't a subcategory of theism.
It can be, but not necessarily. Depends on which variation of the meaning of theism you are intending. As I was discussing with Jester. Although I might agree with you then, that only loosely so. If someone is using a different but valid variation of the term, I don't think that jumping their shit about it is very useful.
Interestingly eneough, I did hear from a Hindu today, that one can be an atheist or agnostic, and still be a Hindu. Which now that I think about it, may support your case.
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 9, 2017 at 9:18 pm
Hindus? If they believe in at least one god, then they are still theists. As far as I know (and I could be wrong) Hindu belief always involves god beliefs, so they would all be theists. If there is a separate sect of Hinduism I'm unaware of that does not assert a god, then they would be atheistic.
There are atheistic religions, if that's what you are getting at. Buddhism has no god, so Buddhists are atheists. Raëlism is also a religion without a god and is atheistic.
That's far different from pantheism or deism, though, which both have god claims.
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 9, 2017 at 9:29 pm
Atheism is the ability to say "Fuck God" and not waste one second of your life looking up at the sky to see if there is a lightning bolt headed your way.
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 9, 2017 at 11:15 pm
(This post was last modified: March 9, 2017 at 11:17 pm by Cyberman.)
(March 8, 2017 at 5:37 pm)RoadRunner79 Wrote: Frankly, I preferred when the term "atheist" was more specific, and had more meaning.
Yeah. Back in the good old days, when the Romans labelled xtians as atheists for not believing in their gods.
Anyway, how can a word with strict specificity have more meaning than one that can be applied more broadly?
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 10, 2017 at 12:54 am
(March 9, 2017 at 11:15 pm)Stimbo Wrote: (March 8, 2017 at 5:37 pm)RoadRunner79 Wrote: Frankly, I preferred when the term "atheist" was more specific, and had more meaning.
Anyway, how can a word with strict specificity have more meaning than one that can be applied more broadly?
I would say because it gives you more information, than a more vague rendition. Therefore it has more meaning.
Although coverage and applicability is sacrificed.
That was my reasoning anyway. 
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 10, 2017 at 1:04 am
(March 10, 2017 at 12:54 am)RoadRunner79 Wrote: (March 9, 2017 at 11:15 pm)Stimbo Wrote: Anyway, how can a word with strict specificity have more meaning than one that can be applied more broadly?
I would say because it gives you more information, than a more vague rendition. Therefore it has more meaning.
Although coverage and applicability is sacrificed.
That was my reasoning anyway.
Maybe you just like thinking the god question is as important for us as it is for you. Sorry, no dice.
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 10, 2017 at 1:15 am
(March 10, 2017 at 1:04 am)Whateverist Wrote: (March 10, 2017 at 12:54 am)RoadRunner79 Wrote: I would say because it gives you more information, than a more vague rendition. Therefore it has more meaning.
Although coverage and applicability is sacrificed.
That was my reasoning anyway. Maybe you just like thinking the god question is as important for us as it is for you. Sorry, no dice.
Yes... I detect a lack of critical thinking... and critical reading as this has nothing to do with what I said.
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RE: What is Atheism?
March 10, 2017 at 5:57 am
Critical thinking entails not automatically accepting claims without credible supporting evidence, and subjecting such evidence as is presented to exceptional scrutiny proportionate to the claim. Basically a triple whammy of ECREE, the Holmesian Maxim and Occam's Razor.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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